Posted on 10/18/2008 7:36:05 AM PDT by DocT111
The Catholic vote is a bit like an apparition of the Virgin Mary. It is a clear article of faith to some, a murky delusion to others. ...
Admittedly they are a mysterious lot, a group that is neither monolithic nor partisan. At present 49 percent of Catholics are Democrats while 40 percent are registered Republicans. A portion of these voters are known to swing wildly in presidential elections. This year they represent a third of voters in do or die battleground states like Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. On the whole Catholic voters are offended by injustice, have a reflexive concern for the poor, and are committed to protecting life in varying degrees. Despite their diversity, there are cultural characteristics of Catholic voters that for whatever reason have been largely ignored or underappreciated by the two major political parties. Here are a few that I have observed in my travels and during conversations with Catholics across the country:
The Madonna Complex: The veneration of the Virgin Mary in Catholic practice has uniquely prepared the Catholic people, men and women, to warmly accept female leadership. Not just any leader mind you, but a leader who is at once nurturing and firm: a mother. This is one of the reasons Hillary Clinton trounced Obama 59 percent to 41 percent among Catholic voters in the Pennsylvania primary. It is also why Sarah Palin has caused such a sensation among Catholic woman, even self-described Democratic women. She represents an underground feminism that has long existed but is seldom celebrated. When I recently asked a bi-partisan group of Catholic women in California if they felt that Sarah Palin was like them, I was loudly corrected. “She IS us,” they said.
(Excerpt) Read more at article.nationalreview.com ...
We definitely need a Hail Mary pass and not just from the Catholics but the Jews as well. I still can’t fathom why either group is for this Messiah.
It is an interesting point made concerning our respect for Mary.
Certainly Sarah Palin reflects that respect for motherhood. She is femine and strong at the same time. Mothering is not a burden or a curse - but a source of strength and honor.
By giving birth to Trig, Sarah sent the message that life is always preferrable to death - even when that life is less than “perfect” (according to worldly standards).
For every Catholic I know who supports McCain due to his pro-life stance, I know of another Catholic who is supporting Obama due to the Iraq war, Universal Health Care, and the economy in general.
At our church discussion groups, the abortion issue is being parried by the theory that since no Republican administration has taken significant steps to outlaw abortion (despite many promises), the issue (abortion) should be taken off the table when considering a candidate (i.e., forming your voting conscience).
Not my conclusion, but I understand why somebody would think this.
Ping to read later
Thank you for posting this article. This is by the one of the best articles on the subject of the Catholic vote that I have read all campaign season.
Coincidently, they same states that are battle ground states in this election are also heavily populated Catholic states but also extremely “Blue Collar” states.
I would think the formula here is for the McCain/Palin ticket is to increase their appeal to those two issues hard in the last two weeks.
This is by far the most damming excerpt from the article to obie/biden...;
“Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Biden, both Catholics, dragged the issue of abortion into the presidential race a few weeks ago. After publicly misrepresenting Catholic teaching on when life begins, the pols were reprimanded by no less than 30 bishops, some even inviting Pelosi and Biden to refrain from communion.
In spite of efforts to finesse the issue, the skirmish reminded Catholics that the bishops consider abortion a “foundational” issue.
It also revealed how far removed the Democratic party’s position on abortion is from that of the Church. For Catholics who attend Mass each week the defense of human life is the preeminent issue.
This is one of the reasons why McCain enjoys a 16-point lead in the latest Pew poll among church-going Catholics. I was shocked to learn during my travels that even a month after the fact, many Catholics are just now becoming aware of the “bishop eruptions.”
Doesn’t matter WHAT they think of abortion......we all KNOW what GOD thinks of it.......EVERYONE will answer at the Final Judgement.
“the abortion issue is being parried by the theory that since no Republican administration has taken significant steps to outlaw abortion (despite many promises),”
I don’t have time to research this right now, so going off memory - would appreciate any FReepers whose memory is better than mine to jump in and confirm or correct.
I believe that President Bush and the Republicans got the Partial Birth abortion law passed (IIRC Clinton vetoed it).
I also think that their argument is a bit flawed, given Roe v Wade and, again IIRC the SC held hearings on this again within the last few years. I don’t see how Republicans can outlaw abortion. That said, many have said (including Palin and Thompson, and I think McCain) that it should be a state issue, determined and voted on by the people in each state, not something mandated by law at the national level. I also think that Pres Bush, McCain, Palin and others have pushed for adoption rather than abortion. Given Sen and Mrs McCain have a adopted a child, they speak to the benefits of it. Contrast this to 0bama’s comment regarding a baby being a ‘punishment’ (if his daughters got pregnant when in their teens).
Coming from a generations long Catholic family, I have a theory as to why many vote Democrat. My mother will vote for Obama simply because she’s democrat and he’s running a democrat ticket. My theory is the democrat party today is not the democrat party she grew up with, and she hasn’t yet caught up with the times. And she’s pro-life and anti-government, but doesn’t see that the Rats are anti-life and pro-government.
JFK wouldn't get the backing of the present democrat party
Maybe Anglo Catholics tend to support McCain-Palin, but what about Mexican-American Catholics?
Pro-Life Movie Star Eduardo Verastegui Backs John McCain Over Abortion
Pro-Life Movie Star Eduardo Verastegui Backs John McCain
Video - Sweet Sarah - pays special attention to those with special needs
Pro Life Group to Roll Out Large Abortion Photos (fleet of big trucks - FL, OH, MI, GA, TX, NC, SC)
Abortion Advocates Attack John McCain on Health Exception, Ignore Doctors
Awaken the Church!
Palin: Obama a `radical' on abortion
New York Times Writer Wrongly Suggests Palin May Have Considered Abortion
Sarah Palin Slams Obama's Support of Abortion
Amid Palin hype, a pro-life feminist's dilemma
Palin blasts Obama for opposing legal protections for infant abortion survivors
The Trig Palin Effect
Catholic bishops' letter on voting causes a stir...
Some Dallas-Fort Worth Catholics irked by bishops' letter on abortion
Palin nails Obama on Abortion
My pro-life "letter to the editor" re: presidential race
Sarah Palin Addresses Abortion: All Babies Are Innocent and All Babies Deserve Protection (Video)
Addressing the American and Canadian Voters from Abroad (Excellent Pro-Life Commentary!)
Video: Sarah Palin attacking Obama on abortion
Palin Criticizes Obama on Abortion at Pa. Rally
Palin gets personal over abortion (It's not personal to point out Obama supports killing babies)
Palin Slams Obama's Pro-Abortion-on-Demand Record
Palin criticizes Obama on abortion at Pa. rally
Sarah Palin on Life. (Absolute must read)
Palin Slams Obama on Abortion
Palin's Pro-Life Speech in Johnstown ("I love that sound... let that baby keep on crying")
McCain's gentler campaign calls Obama pro-abortion radical
Sarah Palin Slams Obama on Radical Abortion Views
Palin: Obama’s Stand on Treatment for Abortion Survivors ‘Very Appalling’
Palin heightens rhetoric on abortion
After Two Weeks of 40 Days for Life - 114 Babies Saved from Abortion
Sarah Palin: Barack Obama "Absolutely Atrocious" by Supporting Unlimited Abortion
Will the Church Split Along Red and Blue Lines?
Dr. Alveda King - The Economy is Temporary, Life is Eternal
McCain Supporter Had Own Ties to Radical Protesters (Defends Prolife Priest???)
Pic: Anti-Catholic, Anti-Bishop Cartoon in Scranton Newspaper
Survey: Evangelicals back John McCain; other religious voters shift to Barack Obama (MSM barf alert)
Pressure to Keep the Baby? (Trig Palin and Abortion)
Catholics and Abortion (Again!)
McCain, Obama Must Address Differences on Abortion-Infanticide in Debate
Values: Abortion tops list (Area Catholics get warning from bishop)
Abortion Key Issue For Catholic Man Backing McCain
This time, Roe vs. Wade really could hang in the balance
Backing His Words With Action ( Mexican actor counsels women to turn away from abortion )
A Fight Among Catholics Over Which Party Best Reflects Church Teachings
Right to Be a 1-Issue Voter?
Catholic Church Is Riven by Internal Debate (Politics)
Which girl would you have chosen? (Palin, Obama and Abortion)
LA Times Covers Catholic Students Making Pro-life and Pro-Marriage Video Ads
(Must Read & Pass on!)What’s Wrong With Double-Poxer Pro-lifers?
Bishop Martino of Scranton on Respect Life Sunday
Newspaper: Planned Parenthood Ad on McCain, Palin "False"
NARAL Ad Attacking McCain, Palin on Abortion May Backfire, Rally Pro-Lifers
"How to Vote With a Clear Conscience" — A Special Report From Envoy Magazine
Eduardo Verastegui Talks about Obama, Saving Babies Outside L.A. Abortion Clinic
Palin Reminds America of Obama’s Lies About His Support of Infanticide
Don't vote for change - change the way you vote - vote for life!
L.A. Times Microanalyzes Bible for Sarah Palin Hit Piece
Scranton (RC) Diocese priests read abortion position letter for voters
Death Wish [The Impending Suicide of a once great nation - Father Corapi]
Some Feminists Love Abortion on Demand But Hate Governor Sarah Palin
Choose Life - It's Not Above Your Pay Grade
If Roe Goes, Our State Will Be Worse Than You Think (Barf Alert)
Catholic Bishops of Florida Election Year Statement
Abortion Issue Again Dividing Catholic Votes (see comment for bishops response)
Bella Star Eduardo Verástegui Urges Hispanic Voters to Reject Obama Over Abortion
Former abortion doctor urges South Dakotans to vote for life
ICYMI: Video: Voters Guide for Serious Catholics
Bishops To Congress: "We Can't Reduce Abortion By Promoting Abortion"
Poll: Women Not Turned Off Over Palin's Abortion Views
Invitation to BornAliveTruth.Org Conf. Call Tues. 9/23, 9:30pm ET
Sarah Palin's Knockout Question (The Faith Trap The MSM Will Lay And How She Should Answer It Alert)
Political trivia: Name the excommunicated Catholic running on the national ticket
Knights of Columbus Ads: Biden, You Violate Catholic Teaching on Abortion
Post-abortive men finally speak out
Abortion a Key Issue in Battleground States, Gives McCain Advantage on Obama
Clinging to Her Religion: The faith journey of Sarah Palin, 'Bible-believing Christian.'
New Abortion Study Fuels Criticism of Obama and Praise of Palin
Obama Ad Calls Abortion Survivor, McCain "Sleazy Despicable Liars"
Good Video for Catholic Voters (and others)
McCain, RNC Don’t Respond to Questions About Ambiguous Stem-Cell Ad
Palin Boosts McCain With Devout Catholic Voters
Breaking: Has McCain "softened' his position on embryonic research?
Study Shows Parental Involvement Laws Reduce Abortions From 19-31 Percent
‘Objectivist’ Writer: Trig Palin a Financial Burden Who Should Have Been Aborted
Obama casts light on McCain's abortion stance
Parental Politics
Orthodox Rabbi Extols Gov. Palin
Shock Poll: Jews Now Favor McCain in New York, 54-32
Libertarian Group Condemns Sarah Palin for Not Killing Disabled Baby in Abortion
Born-alive survivor plea to Obama
"Not Even the Economy Trumps Culture of Life Issues in This Election": Fr. Richard Neuhaus
False Ad Claims John McCain Not Pro-Life on Abortion
Pride Sally, Pride (Sally Quinn on morality of abortion and impact on your choice of candidate)
Salon Article on Sarah Palin and Hospital Abortions Leaves Out Half The Story
Ad Featuring Late-term Abortion Survivor Targets Barack Obama on Infanticide
Catholic Bishops Seek to Meet With McCain, Obama
Palin 'Extremely Negative' on 'Women's Issues,' Feminist Leader Says [Eleanor Smeal.......]
BREAKING: McCain Shifts His Position on Stem Cells?
Newsweek: Palin 'Inflicts' Her Religion on US, She's 'Not a Woman'
"Inspirational & Educational film on voting for Catholics and all people of faith
Supreme Court Justice Scalia: Nothing Qualifies Judge to Create Abortion Right
Is Palin new face of Religious Right, or old?
Bring Me To Life
Salon Article on Sarah Palin and Hospital Abortions Leaves Out Half The Story
Palin's Frightening Pentecostalism (Good for Laughs)
Pope Benedict XVI Urges Catholics to Oppose Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide
Editorial: Who Will Speak for Human Embryonic Life?
Last Chance -- For Life
Fr. Pavone: A New Chapter in the Pro-life Movement
Catholic Vote
Doctor Worries That Palin's Decision Could Decrease Abortions
A Winning Streak with Evangelicals by Eleanor Clift
The Triumph of Culture Over Politics
Religious Right finally shows faith in John McCain
John McCain opposes the intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes
USCCB will discuss abortion politics in plenary session
McCain launches pro-stem cells ad
Your Brother Is a Blessing (The power of Trig.)
New website launched to inform Catholic voters about their ‘rich heritage’
(Watch this video!!)New Video from CatholicVote.com
Courting Catholics (Republican Convention Targets a Key Swing Vote)
Heads Up, Californians! “Sensible and realistic” ( CA bishops endorse Proposition 4 ) Parental Notification before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy
BIDEN IS SELF-DESTRUCTING
Oh no! Palin's example might inspire others to reject abortion
(On Abortion): Pols Talk Faith, Bishops Talk Fact
John McCain Repeats Stance: Roe Abortion Case a "Bad Decision," Overturn It
Local Couple Meets With McCain, Palin
Trig's Breakthrough
The Importance of Trig Being
RUSH: Family with Down Syndrome Child Meets John McCain and Sarah Palin
Palin helps McCain with evangelicals, doesn't ensure their vote: analysts
Choosing Trig (A symbolic leap ahead for children with Down syndrome and their parents)
Family With Down Syndrome Child Meets John McCain And Sarah Palin (Ruush Awesome!!!)
McCain camp says Biden 'sunk to a new low' [Biden/Obama care more about special needs kids
Courting Catholics (Republican Convention Targets a Key Swing Vote)
Trig Paxson Van Palin (Rich Lowry)
McCain, Palin going to region threatened by storm
Sarah Palin- links, from the beginning
Down syndrome
Alaska - Chabad Rabbi: Sarah Palin a Great Friend To The Jewish Community
Integrity in Politics [Sarah Palin]
Calling All Pro-life Dems
Sarah Palin: member of Feminists for Life
Don’t Blame the Bishops - Catholic means pro-life
Sarah Palin Wants Creationism Taught In Schools
John McCain & Sarah Palin on Shattering the Glass Ceiling (People Mag. Interview Today)
Laura Ingraham - PALIN: The PERFECT Conservative Choice!!
Sarah Palin's Feminists for Life Membership Points to Pro-Woman, Pro-Life View
Gov. Sarah Palin discusses son Trig's Down syndrome diagnosis
Governor Sarah Palin's church and a list of sermons she may have heard
Conservative leaders react to McCain’s VP choice of pro-life Gov. Sarah Palin
McCain chooses pro-life Sarah Palin for veep (updated facts about Palin)
Palin Pick Causes 'Elation' among Evangelical Leaders
Beauty and the Beast? (Insightful Analysis of McCain's potential pick for VP)
National Right to Life calls GOP platform "Strongest Ever"
McCain Himself Accuses Obama of Courting Infanticide
GOP takes a hard line on abortion for its platform
John McCain Criticizes Barack Obama on Abortion, Opposing Infanticide Bill
McCain Goes There (Takes On Obama’s ‘Above My Pay Grade’ Remark)
McCain attacks Obama on pro-abortion stance
McCain, Vietnam, and a cross in the dirt
Pro-Life Expert on Population Issues Says McCain Better on Abortion Than Obama
US Bishops Look at Election
Vote for Real Hope and Change [Archbishop Chaput]
Stopping Abortions, Protecting Human Life Not Above a President's Pay Grade
RNC: McCain Won’t Choose Abortion-Supporting Running Mate
Real Change ("Catholics don’t stop being Catholic at the voting booth.")
McCain and Obama try to navigate the politics of abortion
Obama and McCain Woo Catholics
Editorial: At the Saddleback Forum, Senator McCain and Pastor Warren took the Gold
Religious Voters Favor McCain, Poll Claims
Sen. McCain holds private meeting with Archbishop Chaput
John McCain's Remarks on Abortion in Speech to National Pro-Life Convention
McCain campaign plans ‘very aggressive’ outreach to Catholic voters
McCain Meets with Selected Catholic Leaders
If anyone wants my “VOTE no on Obamanation links, just Freepmail me.
Catholics who vote for Obamanation and any dimocrat — due to increased abortions being in their party plank — excommunicate themselves and are only CINOs. They cannot receive Communion.
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:
Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.
Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment
Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”
Bush appointed two good people to SCOTUS. It hasn’t given us a majority yet, but it has moved this back the right way.
As for actually saving lives, clinton issued a mandate on his very first day in office reversing Reagan’s Mexico City Policy, and then proceeded to give hundreds of millions of tax dollars to abort babies in the third world. Clinton even helped China do forced abortions.
Bush restored Reagan’s policy on HIS first day in office, meaning that tax dollars cannot be used to fund UN abortions and International Planned Parenthood abortions.
Bush has been blocked from greatly reducing abortions in this country by activist judges, but he reduced abortions abroad, probably saving millions of lives. No doubt Obama would go back to the clinton policy of making foreign aid dependent on a country’s willingness to legalize abortion.
To say that Bush hasn’t made a difference in saving lives is ridiculous. But the BIG item is judges. We cannot afford to go backward on that when we are so close.
Alito & Roberts-from GWB
Ginsburg-from Clinton.
McCain touts Scalia, Alito, Roberts, & Thomas.
Obama promises proabortion “justices.”
4,000 innocent slaughtered babies each day trumps the lost souls of all other issues combined.
I’m turning an O supporter around on FOCA alone, and this is a person who is ambivalent about abortion, but is shocked at how dedicated O is to baby-slaughter.
You Tube - Over 1,500 Black Babies Per Day Are Killed In The USA / Pro-Life Anti-Abortion Video PSA
Thanks. I’ll save that for friends who are black. The other person is Jewish.
Here’s a letter to the editor I wrote to some Catholic newspapers:
“Dear Editor:
When I visited the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website, I came across prolife quotes from Pope Benedict XVI, and this is one of the quotes:
“God’s love does not differentiate between the newly conceived infant still in his or her mother’s womb and the child or young person, or the adult and the elderly person. God does not distinguish between them because he sees an impression of his own image and likeness (Gn 1:26) in each one.”
On Election Day I will be voting pro-life, because I am a 45 million+ “issues” voter. You see, over 45 million unborn babies have been killed since Roe v. Wade (1973), which is far more than the American lives we have lost in wars since 1973.”
I wrote a longer letter, mentioning candidates’ names to the secular newspapers.
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